Rocket Blasts off in the Bronx

Roger Clemens picked up career win No. 349 Saturday, pitching six innings and helping the New York Yankees defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3.

Saturday’s start was Clemens first on the year, and he is now 12 wins behind legendary pitcher Kid Nichols for seventh all time.

Clemens lasted six innings and gave up five hits and three earned runs. Heading into the game, the Yankees were 29-31 and 10 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the American League East lead.

“This is the start of something we hope will be very special for us the rest of the way, at a point in our season where we think we’re making a statement about who we are,” The Associated Press quoted manager Joe Torre as saying.

Nichols amassed 361 wins during his career, which from 1890 to 1906. He pitched for the Boston Beaneaters, St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies.